RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft have joined forces with French aircraft in a coordinated attack on an underground arms cache in Syrian territory used by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The location, identified by surveillance, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the release indicated, and was positioned in hills just above the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to target a several access tunnels leading to the site... preliminary assessments indicate the strike was effective," the MoD said.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The Typhoon fighters were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
Daesh - also known as ISIS - established militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq until 2019.
"This action shows the UK's leading role, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eliminate any revival of the terrorist group and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the area," UK Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have conducted surveillance missions over Syria to "deter any attempted resurgence" of IS following its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in 2019, the MoD reported.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces participating in this operation for their expertise and their bravery," the Defence Secretary added. "They were among thousands of British troops on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how British military are ready to step up, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and strong abroad."
In December, the American forces conducted what it termed a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, after an attack killed two US servicemembers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. reports Daesh still boasts between 5,000 and 7,000 combatants in Iraq and Syria.
